In March 2019, the Army Corps of Engineers was ordered by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to comply with federal law and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to explore alternatives to the transmission line over the James River at Jamestown. The Army Corps had previously issued a permit for Dominion’s proposal to build seventeen towers, some as tall as the Statue of Liberty, across the James River and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, as well as in the viewshed of Colonial National Historical Park.

The Army Corps recently released its court ordered Draft EIS for public comment. The Draft EIS failed to study alternatives proposed by an independent engineering firm retained by the National Trust. Instead, the Army Corps’ DEIS has reaffirmed support for Dominion’s existing, harmful project. The Army Corps is accepting public comments through February 10.

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals in the D.C. Circuit ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to follow the federal legal requirements when they decided to allow Dominion Energy to build a massive power line and 17 towers across the James River at Jamestown.

The court rejected Dominion Energy’s permit and directed the Army Corps of Engineers to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The towers were energized earlier this week.

Read our full statement.

We want to take a moment to thank you for your dedication, whether you signed our petition in support, sent letters to your local officials, or submitted comments to urge the EIS. You helped ensure a decisive victory for this National Treasure and a win for historic preservation.